Brendan Allen is set to challenge Reinier de Ridder in a pivotal UFC middleweight bout, with de Ridder aiming to secure a strong position before potentially facing champion Khamzat Chimaev. Initially, de Ridder was slated to fight Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez as part of a quest to determine Chimaev’s next opponent, alongside Nassourdin Imavov, who recently defeated Caio Borralho. Although Allen wasn’t the original opponent, de Ridder welcomes the change but knows that a decisive victory is critical against a less celebrated yet tough competitor. De Ridder emphasized that defeating Allen would carry weight given Allen’s close fights with top contenders like Imavov and Hernandez, and being the first to finish Allen would be meaningful. Despite the challenges of the middleweight rankings—where Imavov remains higher—de Ridder’s undefeated 5-0 UFC run within 11 months and tough matchups make him a credible threat as a title contender.
De Ridder feels ready to test Chimaev’s limits with his grappling and submission skills, while Allen holds a gritty mindset and confidence, believing he can outmatch de Ridder anywhere in the fight. Both fighters are noted for submission proficiency and durability but have defensive gaps, making the upcoming clash highly competitive. Beyond de Ridder and Allen, rising Canadian fighters like Jasmine Jasdavicius and Aiemann Zahavi are climbing the ranks, with Jasdavicius eyeing a top spot after facing Manon Fioro, and Zahavi aiming to build momentum after a winning streak. Marlon Vera also looks to rebound after a tough year, hoping to learn from past mistakes and regain form.
Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, held in Vancouver, will feature a well-matched main event between de Ridder and Allen, whose styles blend striking and submissions with endurance to determine who moves closer to the title fight spotlight. Betting odds favor de Ridder for a unanimous decision victory, acknowledging his wider submission arsenal and methodical preparation.
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Fan Take: This matchup between Brendan Allen and Reinier de Ridder is critical for the UFC middleweight division, spotlighting two rising stars who could shape the future title picture. For fight fans, it promises an intense, skillful battle that blends strategy with heart, and the outcome could shift the momentum of the division, keeping things vibrant and unpredictable.
